U.S. patent application number 15/202927 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for information processing apparatus, information processing system, and image processing method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shoichiro KANEMATSU, Kiyoshi KASATANI. Invention is credited to Shoichiro KANEMATSU, Kiyoshi KASATANI.
Application Number | 20170019630 15/202927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57776510 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170019630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KANEMATSU; Shoichiro ; et
al. |
January 19, 2017 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM,
AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD
Abstract
An information processing apparatus includes a first
communication circuit that communicates with a memory that stores
address information of an image processing apparatus, circuitry
that reads the address information of the image processing
apparatus from the memory, and a second communication circuit that
exchanges data with the image processing apparatus identified with
the address information read from the memory through a
communication network.
Inventors: |
KANEMATSU; Shoichiro;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; KASATANI; Kiyoshi; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KANEMATSU; Shoichiro
KASATANI; Kiyoshi |
Kanagawa
Kanagawa |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
57776510 |
Appl. No.: |
15/202927 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 65/403 20130101;
H04L 67/141 20130101; H04W 4/80 20180201; H04N 7/15 20130101; H04M
3/567 20130101; H04L 63/126 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/14 20060101
H04N007/14; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; H04W 4/00 20060101
H04W004/00; H04N 7/15 20060101 H04N007/15 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 14, 2015 |
JP |
2015-140276 |
Jun 9, 2016 |
JP |
2016-115652 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a first
communication circuit to communicate with a memory that stores
address information of an image processing apparatus; circuitry to
read the address information of the image processing apparatus from
the memory; and a second communication circuit to exchange data
with the image processing apparatus identified with the address
information read from the memory through a communication
network.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the circuitry further determines whether or not security is
configured in exchanging of data with the image processing
apparatus, and when the security is configured, the circuitry
inputs an authentication code being displayed on the image
processing apparatus to enable exchange of data with the image
processing apparatus.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the authentication code is randomly generated every time an
application program in the image processing apparatus executes.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the first communication circuit performs near field
communication using Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID).
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the address information is an IP address to be used for
accessing the image processing apparatus.
6. An information processing system, comprising: an image
processing apparatus; and a mobile device to exchange data with the
image processing apparatus, wherein the mobile device includes: a
first communication circuit to communicate with a memory that
stores address information of an image processing apparatus;
circuitry to read the address information of the image processing
apparatus from the memory; and a second communication circuit to
exchange data with the image processing apparatus identified with
the address information read from the memory through a
communication network.
7. A method of controlling communication with an image processing
apparatus, comprising: communicating with a memory that stores
address information of the image processing apparatus; reading the
address information of the image processing apparatus from the
memory; and exchanging data with the image processing apparatus
identified with the address information read from the memory
through a communication network.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is based on and claims priority
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) to Japanese Patent Applications
No. 2015-140276, filed on Jul. 14, 2015 and No. 2016-115652, filed
on Jun. 9, 2016 in the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosures
of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to an information processing
apparatus, an information processing system, and an information
processing method.
[0004] Background Art
[0005] The recent systems provide multiple information processing
apparatuses, which are connected with each other via networks such
as cloud networks, to share images displayed on a large screen
display. For example, at conferences in corporations, educational
institutions, and government institutions etc., electronic
whiteboards may be used, which allow users to draw stroke images
such as texts, numbers, and figures etc. on background images. A
technology that connects the electronic whiteboards to on-premise
private cloud services that are owned by the corporations etc. and
operated using the corporations' facility, and displays files
exchanged with terminals on the electronic whiteboards is
known.
[0006] In the information sharing system including the electronic
whiteboard, a display sharing apparatus with a display capability
and a communication capability, and a terminal device with an image
capture capability and a communication capability are provided. The
system further includes a connection apparatus having a
communication capability to communicate with the display sharing
apparatus and the terminal device, an authentication capability, a
configuration capability, and a control capability.
SUMMARY
[0007] Example embodiments of the present invention provide a novel
information processing apparatus that includes a first
communication circuit that communicates with a memory that stores
address information of an image processing apparatus, circuitry
that reads the address information of the image processing
apparatus from the memory, and a second communication circuit that
exchanges data with the image processing apparatus identified with
the address information read from the memory through a
communication network.
[0008] Further embodiments of the present invention provide an
information processing system, and an information processing
method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of
the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily
obtained and understood from the following detailed description
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of
an information processing system as an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of
an electronic whiteboard included in the information processing
system as an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the
electronic whiteboard included in the information processing system
as an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of
an information processing system as an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of a
mobile device and the electronic whiteboard included in the
information processing system as an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of the mobile device included in the information
processing system as an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration
of a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) (Near Field Communication
(NFC)) included in the information processing system as an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating operation of controlling
communication using the NFC included in the information processing
system as an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
information processing system as an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
information processing system as an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example
embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted
to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be
considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "includes" and/or "including", when used
in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0022] In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity.
However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and
it is to be understood that each specific element includes all
technical equivalents that have the same function, operate in a
similar manner, and achieve a similar result.
[0023] A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of
the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described below in
detail with reference to figures. In figures, same symbols are
assigned to same or corresponding parts, and their descriptions are
simplified or omitted appropriately.
[0025] In the embodiments described below, an information
processing apparatus that can easily perform preparation before the
user starts to exchange files with the electronic whiteboard is
provided. In the embodiments described below, the NFC is taken as
an example as a short-distance wireless communication technology.
However, the present invention can be applied to a general
short-distance wireless communication technology so-called
RFID.
[0026] In this embodiment, in order to exchange predetermined data
between the mobile device as an another apparatus and the
electronic whiteboard, a predetermined application program to
operate an information processing apparatus such as a multifunction
peripheral (MFP) using the mobile device is used. Subsequently,
address information such as an IP address of the electronic
whiteboard that exchanges a predetermined data file with the mobile
device is written in a NFC tag preliminarily. Furthermore, after
launching the application program described above, the tag
information of NFC is read using the mobile device.
[0027] Through the above-described operation, the user at the
mobile device is registered to the electronic whiteboard.
Furthermore, if security is configured in exchanging predetermined
data between the mobile device and the electronic whiteboard, a
pass code (authentication code) is displayed on the electronic
whiteboard by accessing the electronic whiteboard using the mobile
device. By inputting the pass code in the mobile device, it is
possible to display the predetermined data transferred by the
mobile device on the electronic whiteboard and display a file
displayed on the electronic whiteboard on the mobile device by
receiving the file.
[0028] That is, by reading the tag information of NFC that the
address information of the electronic whiteboard is written, using
the mobile device installed with the predetermined application
program for operating the information processing apparatus, it is
possible to omit preparation such as user registration or scan of
the authentication code etc. The embodiments of the present
invention are described below in detail with reference to
figures.
[0029] First, an entire configuration of an information processing
system as an embodiment is described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram
illustrating an entire configuration of an information processing
system of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, only two electronic
whiteboards 2a and 2b and two electronic styluses 4a and 4b etc.
are illustrated to simply the description. However, it is possible
to use three or more electronic whiteboards and electronic styluses
etc. The electronic whiteboards 2a and 2b are examples of the image
processing apparatus.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing system 1 includes
multiple electronic whiteboards 2a and 2b, multiple electronic
styluses 4a and 4b, Universal Serial Bus (USB) memories 5a and 5b,
notebook personal computers (PCs) 6a and 6b, videoconference
terminals 7a and 7b, and a PC 8. The electronic whiteboards 2a and
2b and the PC 8 are connected to be communicable with each other
via a communication network 9. Furthermore, the multiple electronic
whiteboards 2a and 2b respectively include displays 3a and 3b. It
should be noted that the PC 8 is a PC for sharing a screen in the
image processing system 1 and functions as a monitor to be
browsed.
[0031] In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2a can display an
image drawn by an event generated by the electronic stylus 4a
(e.g., the pen tip or the bottom of the electronic stylus 4a
touches the display 3a) on the display 3a. It should be noted that
it is also possible to modify the image displayed on the display 3a
based on an event generated by a user hand Ha etc. (e.g., gestures
that scales and flips a page etc.). The electronic styluses 4a and
4b and hands Ha and Hb are examples of pointing devices.
[0032] In addition, the USB memory 5a is connected to the
electronic whiteboard 2a detachably. The electronic whiteboard 2a
can read electronic files such as Portable Document Format (PDF)
etc. from the USB memory 5a and store the electronic files in the
USB memory 5a. In addition, the notebook PC 6a is connected to the
electronic whiteboard 2a via the cable 10a1. The cable 10a1 is
communicable using communication in compliance with the
Specification such as DisplayPort and Digital Visual Interface
(DVI) etc. In addition, the cable 10a1 is communicable using
communication in compliance with the Specification such as High
Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and Video Graphics Array
(VGA) etc.
[0033] On the electronic whiteboard 2a, an event is generated by
touching the display 3a, and event information indicating the event
is transferred to the notebook PC 6a just like an event of input
devices such as a mouse and a keyboard etc. On the other hand, the
videoconference terminal 7a is connected to the electronic
whiteboard 2a via the cable 10a2 to be communicable using the
specifications described above. It should be noted that it is also
possible that the notebook PC 6a and the videoconference terminal
7a communicate with the electronic whiteboard 2a using wireless
communication compatible with various wireless communication
protocols such as Bluetooth etc.
[0034] On the other hand, at another site where the electronic
whiteboard 2b is located, just like the case described above, the
electronic whiteboard 2b including the display 3b, the electronic
stylus 4b, the USB memory 5b, the notebook PC 6b, the
videoconference terminal 7b, and the cables 10b1 and 10b2 are used.
Furthermore, it is possible to modify an image displayed on the
display 3b based on an event generated by the user hand Hb etc.
[0035] As a result, the image drawn on the display 3a of the
electronic whiteboard 2a at one site is also displayed on the
display 3b of the electronic whiteboard 2b at the other site. By
contrast, the image drawn on the display 3b of the electronic
whiteboard 2b at the other site is also displayed on the display 3a
of the electronic whiteboard 2a at one site. As described above, in
the image processing system 1, since it is possible to share the
same image between remote sites, it is convenient to use the image
processing system 1 for the remote videoconference etc.
[0036] In the below description, any one electronic whiteboard
among multiple electronic whiteboards is referred to as the
electronic whiteboard 2. Likewise, any one display among multiple
displays is referred to as the display 3. Any one electronic stylus
among multiple electronic styluses is referred to as the electronic
stylus 4.
[0037] Any one USB memory among multiple USB memories is referred
to as the USB memory 5. Any one notebook PC among multiple notebook
PCs is referred to as the notebook PC 6. Any one videoconference
terminal among multiple videoconference terminal is referred to as
the videoconference terminal 7. Furthermore, any one hand among
multiple user hands is referred to as the hand H. Any one cable
among multiple cables is referred to as the cable 10.
[0038] In this embodiment, the electronic whiteboard 2 is described
as an example of the image processing apparatus 2. However, the
image processing apparatus is not limited to the electronic
whiteboard 2. Other examples of the image processing apparatus are
an electronic billboard (digital signage), a telestrator used in
sports programs and weather reports etc., and telemedicine
terminals etc.
[0039] In addition, the notebook PC 6 is described as an example of
the information processing terminal in this embodiment. However,
the information processing terminal is not limited to the notebook
PC 6. Other examples of the information processing terminals are
terminals that can provide image frames such as a desktop PC, a
tablet PC, a smartphone, a personal data assistance (PDA), a
digital video camera, a digital camera, and a video-game console
etc.
[0040] Furthermore, the Internet, Local Area Network (LAN), and
cell phone communication network etc. are examples of the
communication network 9. In this embodiment, the USB memory 5 is
described as an example of the recording medium. However, the
recording medium is not limited to the USB memory 5. Other examples
of the recording medium are various recording media such as a
Secure Digital (SD) card etc.
[0041] Next, a hardware configuration of an electronic whiteboard
included in the information processing system according to this
embodiment is described below. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a
hardware configuration of an electronic whiteboard included in the
information processing system in this embodiment.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a
central processing unit (CPU) 101 that controls the entire
electronic whiteboard 2. In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2
includes a read only memory (ROM) 102 that stores a program used
for driving the CPU 101 such as an initial program loader (IPL)
etc. Furthermore, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a random
access memory (RAM) 103 used as an work area for the
[0043] CPU 101 and a solid state drive (SSD) 204 that stores
various data such as a program for the electronic whiteboard 2 etc.
In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a network
controller 105 that controls communication with the communication
network 9 and an external storage controller 106 that controls
communication with the USB memory 5.
[0044] In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a
capturing device 111 that captures a still image or video displayed
on the display of the notebook PC 6 and a graphics processing unit
(GPU) 112 dedicated to graphics processing. Furthermore, the
electronic whiteboard 2 includes a display controller 113 that
controls displaying the screen to output images that the GPU 112
outputs to the display 3 and the videoconference terminal 7.
[0045] In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes a touch
sensor 115 that detects that the electronic stylus 4 or the user
hand H etc. touches the display 3 and a sensor controller 114 that
controls operating the touch sensor 115. The touch sensor 115
inputs and detects coordinates using an infrared interception
method. In inputting and detecting coordinates, first, two light
receiving/illuminating devices located at both ends of the upper
side of the display 3 illuminate multiple infrared beams in
parallel with the display 3. Subsequently, the light that is
reflected by the reflector located around the display 3 and returns
along with the same light path that the light
receiving/illuminating device illuminates the light is received. In
this case, the light receiving/illuminating devices are located at
both ends of upper side of the display 3. However, it is also
possible to locate the light receiving/illuminating devices at four
corners of the display 3.
[0046] The touch sensor 115 outputs identification (ID) of the
infrared illuminated by the two light receiving/illuminating
devices and intercepted by an object (e.g., the electronic stylus 4
or the user hand H etc.), and the sensor controller 114 specifies a
coordinate position where the object touches the display 3. In the
description below, all IDs are examples of the identification
information.
[0047] In addition, the touch sensor 115 is not limited to the
infrared interception method. For example, a touch panel using a
capacitance method that specifies a touch position by detecting a
change of capacitance and a touch panel using a resistance film
method that specifies a touch position by detecting a change of
voltage of two opposing resistance films can be considered. In
addition, various detecting methods such as a touch panel using an
electromagnetic- induction method that specifies a touch position
by detecting electromagnetic induction generated by touching the
display unit by the object etc. can be used.
[0048] In addition, the electronic whiteboard 2 includes an
electronic stylus controller 116. The electronic stylus controller
116 communicates with the electronic stylus 4 and determines
whether or not the pen tip or the pen bottom touches the display 3.
It is possible that the electronic stylus controller 116 determines
whether only the pen tip or the pen bottom but also a handgrip of
the electronic stylus 4 or other parts of the electronic stylus
touches the display 3 or not.
[0049] In the electronic whiteboard 2, a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103,
SSD 104, network controller 105, external storage controller 106,
capturing device 111, GPU 112, sensor controller 114, and the
electronic whiteboard controller 116 are connected with each other
electrically. Those components are connected with each other via a
bus line 120 such as a data bus etc. It is possible to store a
program for the electronic whiteboard 2 in a computer-readable
recording medium such as a CD-ROM etc. and distribute the
program.
[0050] Next, functional blocks of an electronic whiteboard included
in the information processing system as a basis of this embodiment
are described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating functional
blocks of the electronic whiteboard included in the information
processing system as a basis of this embodiment.
[0051] In the electronic whiteboard 2, the functional blocks shown
in FIG. 3 are implemented by using the hardware configuration and
program shown in FIG. 2. The electronic whiteboard 2 can be a host
apparatus that firstly starts the remote sharing process and a
client apparatus that later participates in the remote sharing
process that had already been started. In addition, the electronic
whiteboard 2 includes a client 20 and a server 90 as main
functions. That is, the client 20 and the server 90 are included in
the case of one electronic whiteboard 2.
[0052] The client 20 and the server 90 are implemented inside the
case of one electronic whiteboard 2. If the electronic whiteboard 2
becomes the host apparatus, the client 20 and the server 90 are
implemented in the electronic whiteboard 2. If the electronic
whiteboard 2 becomes the client apparatus, the client 20 is
implemented in the electronic whiteboard 2. However, the server 90
is not implemented in the electronic whiteboard 2.
[0053] That is, in FIG. 1, if the electronic whiteboard 2a becomes
the host apparatus and the electronic whiteboard 2b becomes the
client apparatus, the client 20 in the electronic whiteboard 2a
communicates with the client 20 in the electronic whiteboard 2b via
the server 90 implemented in the electronic whiteboard 2a. On the
other hand, the client 20 in the electronic whiteboard 2b
communicates with the client 20 in the electronic whiteboard 2a via
the server 90 implemented in the electronic whiteboard 2a.
[0054] Next, a functional configuration of the client 20 is
described below. The client 20 includes a video acquisition unit
21, a coordinate detector 22, an automatic adjuster 23, a touch
detector 24, an event processor 25, an operation processor 26, a
gesture processor 27, a video synthesizer 28, an image processing
30, and a communication controller 60.
[0055] Among these components, the video acquisition unit 21
acquires video output by video output apparatuses such as the
notebook PC 6 etc. connected to the cable 10. The video acquisition
unit 21 receives an image signal from the video output apparatus
(e.g., the notebook PC 6 etc.). Subsequently, the image signal is
analyzed, and image information such as a resolution of image
frames as a display image of the video output apparatus formed by
the image signal and/or an update frequency of the image frames
etc. are extracted and output to the image acquisition unit 31.
[0056] The coordinate detector 22 detects a coordinate position of
an event (e.g., an action that the user hand H touches the display
3 etc.) on the display 3 generated by user operation. In addition,
the coordinate detector 22 detects an area touched by user
operation.
[0057] The automatic adjuster 23 starts up when the electronic
whiteboard 2 starts up and adjusts parameters for processing an
image by a sensor camera using a light sensor method by the touch
sensor 115 so that the touch sensor 115 can output appropriate
values to the coordinate detector 22. The touch detector 24 detects
an event (e.g., an action that the pen tip or the pen bottom of the
electronic stylus 4 touches the display 3 etc.) generated by user
operation.
[0058] The event processor 25 distributes the coordinate position
of the event detected by the coordinate detector 22 and the
detection result detected by the touch sensor 24 to each of a
stroke processor 32, the operation processor 26, and the gesture
processor 27 (described later).
[0059] The operation processor 26 operates various operations
depending on events that the event processor 25 determines as UI
operations in accordance with an UI element that the event is
generated. Regarding the event that the event processor 25
determines as a gesture operation, the gesture processor 27
determines the content of the gesture using a coordinate history
etc. and generates a gesture event. The gesture processor 27
executes an operation in accordance with the event that the event
processor 25 determines as the gesture operation.
[0060] The image processor 30 superimposes each image layer etc.
The image processor 30 includes an image acquisition unit 31, a
stroke processor 32, an UI image generator 33, a background
generator 34, and a layout manager 35. In addition, the image
processor 30 includes a display synthesizer 36, a page processor
37, a page data storage unit 38, a file processor 39, and a remote
license management table 40.
[0061] Among these components, the image acquisition unit 31
acquires each frame as an image from the video acquired by the
video acquisition unit 21. The image corresponds to an image output
by the video output apparatus (the notebook PC 6 etc.). The stroke
processor 32 draws an image, deletes the drawn image, and edits the
drawn image based on the event regarding the stroke drawing
distributed by the event processor 25. The image by the stroke
drawing corresponds to a stroke image.
[0062] The UT image generator 33 generates an UI image preset to
the electronic whiteboard 2. The UI image corresponds to an UI
image. The background generator 34 receives media data from the
page processor 37 among page data that the page processor 37 reads
from the page data storage unit 38. The background generator 34
outputs the received media data to the display synthesizer 36. The
image using the media data corresponds to a background image.
Patterns of the background image are solid and a grid pattern
etc.
[0063] The layout manager 35 manages layout information indicating
a layout of each image output by the image acquisition unit 31, the
stroke processor 32, the UI image generator 33, and the background
generator 34 for the display synthesizer 36. As a result, the
layout manager 35 can command the display synthesizer 36 to display
or not to display the output image and the stroke image at which
position in the UI image and the background image.
[0064] The display synthesizer 36 layouts each image output by the
image acquisition unit 31, the stroke processor 32, the UI image
generator 33, and the background generator 34 based on the layout
information output by the layout manager 35.
[0065] The page processor 37 combines data of the stroke image and
data of the output image into one page data and stores the page
data in the page data storage unit 38. The data of the stroke image
constructs a part of the page data as stroke layout data (each
stroke data) indicated by a stroke layout data ID. The data of the
output image constructs a part of the page data as media data
indicated by a media data ID. In addition, after being read from
the page data storage unit 38, the media data is dealt with data of
the background image.
[0066] In addition, the page processor 37 transfers the media data
among the page data stored temporarily to the display synthesizer
36 via the background generator 34 so that the video synthesizer 38
can display the background image on the display 3 again. In
addition, the page processor 37 returns the stroke layout data
(each stroke data) among the page data to the stroke processor 32
so that the stroke can be reedited. Furthermore, the page processor
37 can delete and edit the page data.
[0067] That is, when the page processor 37 stores the page data in
the page data storage unit 38, the data of the output image
displayed on the display 3 is stored in the page data storage unit
38 temporarily. Subsequently, in being read from the page data
storage unit 38, the data is read as the media data that indicates
the background image. After that, the page processor 37 outputs the
stroke layout data that indicates the stroke image among the page
data read from the page data storage unit 38 to the stroke
processor 32. In addition, the page processor 37 outputs the media
data that indicates the background image among the page data read
from the page data storage unit 38 to the background generator
34.
[0068] The display synthesizer 36 superimposes the output image
from the image acquisition unit 31, the stroke image from the
stroke processor 32, and the UT image from the UI image generator
33 on the background image from the background generator 34 in
accordance with the layout specified by the layout manager 35.
[0069] The page data storage unit 38 stores the page data. The page
data is data (stroke layout data (each stroke data) and media data)
(stroke data and image data) for one page displayed on the display
3.
[0070] The remote license management table 40 manages license data
required to execute the remote sharing process. In the remote
license management table 40, a product ID of the electronic
whiteboard 2, a license ID for authentication, and an expiration
date of the license are managed associated with each other.
[0071] Next, an entire configuration of the information processing
system in this embodiment is described below. FIG. 4 is a diagram
illustrating an entire configuration of the information processing
system in this embodiment. Basically, while the entire
configuration shown in FIG. 4 is almost similar to the entire
configuration shown in FIG. 1, the different point is that a mobile
device 50 connected to the LAN can communicate with the electronic
whiteboard 2 via the communication network 9 in FIG. 4.
[0072] In addition, on the display 3, as described later, a pass
code (an authentication code) constructed by random numbers may be
displayed if security is configured in exchanging files between the
mobile device 50 and the electronic whiteboard 2. That is, a
difference code, which is randomly created, is set to the pass code
(authentication code) every time the application program of the
electronic whiteboard 2 executes.
[0073] By using the mobile device 50, it is possible to transfer a
file created by the mobile device 50 to the electronic whiteboard 2
via the communication network 9. In addition, it is possible to
receive a file displayed on the electronic whiteboard 2 by the
mobile device 50 via the communication network 9. The hardware
configuration of the electronic whiteboard 2 is the same as the
configuration described in FIG. 2, and the detailed description is
omitted.
[0074] Next, functional blocks of the mobile device and the
electronic whiteboard included in the information processing system
in this embodiment is described below. FIG. 5 is a diagram
illustrating functional blocks of the mobile device and the
electronic whiteboard included in the information processing system
in this embodiment. The functional blocks of the electronic
whiteboard is basically similar to the functional blocks of the
electronic whiteboard described in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, a
block that electronic whiteboard 2 exchanges signals with each
block in the mobile device 50 to be communicable via the
communication network 9 is added to the client 20.
[0075] In the client 20, a communication controller 201, an image
transceiver 202, and an event receive 203 are added. In addition,
the mobile device 50 includes a communication controller 51, an
image transceiver 52, and an event receiver 53. As described later,
when the mobile device 50 communicates with the electronic
whiteboard 2 via the communication network, the communication
controller 51 in the mobile device 50 and the communication
controller 201 in the client 20 control the entire communication.
After establishing the communication between the mobile device 50
and the electronic whiteboard 2, image data and image files etc.
are exchanged between the image transceiver 52 in the mobile device
50 and the image transceiver 202 in the client 20. In addition,
events generated by the mobile device 50 are received by the event
receiver 53, and events generated by the electronic whiteboard 2
are received by the event receiver 203.
[0076] Next, a hardware configuration of the mobile device that
constructs the information processing system in this embodiment is
described below. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of the mobile device included in the information
processing system in this embodiment.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile device 50 includes a CPU 501
as the hardware configuration that controls the entire mobile
device 50. In addition, storage units such as a ROM 502 and a RAM
503 that store various data and various programs etc. are included.
The CPU 501 loads a control program stored in the ROM 502 and
expands various data acquired through operations of the mobile
device 50 into the RAM 503. Furthermore, a communication unit 504
that performs standard wireless communication using an antenna and
short-range wireless communication such as NFC etc. (described
later).
[0078] In addition, the mobile device 50 includes an operation unit
505 constructed by a keyboard etc. that commands the mobile device
50 by user operation and a display unit 506 constructed by a liquid
crystal display (LCD) etc. Furthermore, an interface 507
constructed by a microphone and a speaker etc. is included. It
should be noted that it is possible that the operational unit 505
is a software keys located on a touch panel display of the display
unit 506. In addition, the CPU 501, the ROM 502, the RAM 503, the
communication unit 504, the operation unit 505, the display unit
506, and the interface 507 are connected with each other via a bus
508.
[0079] Here, short-range wireless communication technology such as
NFC used widely in mobile devices, office apparatuses, and public
transportation infrastructure recently is briefly described below.
Generally speaking, the technology is called as RFID, and that is a
technology that performs individual authentication and individual
recognition using radio waves. Among them, NFC is the technology
that is considered to be most frequently used. This is a
short-range wireless communication technology using a frequency
band of 13.56 MHz, and the communication range is equal to or less
than 10 cm.
[0080] Recently, NFC is implemented in mobile devices such as
smartphones and tablet PCs etc. and is used for purposes such as
payment and individual authentication etc. In the NFC technology,
there are readers and/or writers that can read and/or write data
actively and NFC tags that stores written data and is scanned by
the reader and/or writer only.
[0081] Next, a basis schematic configuration of the RFID (NFC)
included in the information processing system in this embodiment is
described below. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a basis schematic
configuration of the RFID(NFC) included in the information
processing system in this embodiment.
[0082] The mobile device 50 includes a near field communication
unit 510 that performs the near field communication with the NFC
tag via the communication unit 504 and a reader 511 that reads
address information (e.g., IP address) of the electronic whiteboard
2 stored in a memory 605 of a NFC tag 55 and stores the address
information. Here, the near field communication unit 510 functions
as a first communication unit (a first communication circuit). In
addition, a network communication unit 509 that accesses the
electronic whiteboard 2 using the address information after
scanning the address information of the electronic whiteboard 2 is
included. The network communication unit 509 functions as a second
communication unit (a second communication circuit).
[0083] The NFC tag 55 includes a Radio Frequency (RF) interface
(I/F) 601, a controller 602 that controls the entire NFC tag 55,
and a communication buffer 604 that exchanges data with the mobile
device 50. In addition, the NFC tag 55 includes a memory 605 that
stores data and a security (SEC) 605 for keeping security such as
data encryption etc.
[0084] The mobile device 50 and the NFC tag 55 communicate with
each other generating electromotive force by electromagnetic
induction using the antenna. The mobile device 50 always generates
a magnetic field, the electromagnetic induction occurs by getting
closer to a passive tag of the NFC tag 55 to generate electromotive
force in the NFC tag 55, and the electric power drives the NFC tag
55 to transfer data if necessary.
[0085] Generally speaking, the NFC tag 55 stores authentication
data (e.g., IDs) required for communication and information that
enables communication between devices (e.g., address and security
data etc.). In this embodiment, in the memory 605 of the NFC tag
55, the address information such as IP address of the electronic
whiteboard 2 that the mobile device is going to exchange a file is
written as an example. In addition, the NFC tag 55 is located at a
location where it is possible to perform the near field
communication with the mobile device 50.
[0086] Next, a communication method using the NFC included in the
information processing system in this embodiment is described
below. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a communication method
using the NFC included in the information processing system in this
embodiment.
[0087] Basically, the mobile device 50 becomes a master apparatus
and controls all communication. The NFC tag 55 becomes a slave
apparatus and responds in accordance with accesses from the master
apparatus. The NFC tag 55 is called as a passive tag. The NFC tag
55 only responds to requests from the master apparatus and never
operates actively. The magnetic field is generated by the master
apparatus.
[0088] Next, an operation of the information processing system in
this embodiment is described below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart
illustrating an operation of the information processing system in
this embodiment that the mobile device transfers a file to the
electronic whiteboard.
[0089] When the mobile device 50 transfers a file to the electronic
whiteboard 2, first, in the mobile device 50, an application
program for operating the electronic whiteboard 2 is executed.
Subsequently, in the application program, a mode that transfers a
file to the electronic whiteboard 2 is selected.
[0090] In S501, an image to be transferred from the mobile device
50 to the electronic whiteboard 2 is selected. In S502, the mobile
device 50 is set to a NFC tag scanning mode. In S503, by holding
the antenna over the NFC tag 55, the mobile device 50 performs the
near field communication between the near field communication unit
510 and the NFC tag 55. Subsequently, the reader 511 reads the
address information (e.g., IP address) of the electronic whiteboard
2 from the memory 605 of the NFC tag 55 and stores the address
information.
[0091] In S504, the network communication unit 509 accesses the
electronic whiteboard 2 corresponding to the address scanned from
the mobile device 50 and determines whether or not the security is
configured. If it is determined that the security is configured
(YES in S504), the step proceeds to 5505. If it is determined that
the security is not configured (NO in S504), the step proceeds to
5506.
[0092] In S505, since the security is configured, it is required to
input the pass code. Therefore, when the network communication unit
509 accesses the electronic whiteboard 2, the pass code displayed
on the display 3 of the electronic whiteboard 2 is input. In S506,
the network communication unit 509 reads a file of an image to be
transferred selected in S501. Subsequently, in S507, network
communication unit 509 transfers the file read in S506 to the
electronic whiteboard 2 via the communication network 9. After
that, the electronic whiteboard 2 displays a content of the file on
the display 3.
[0093] Next, another operation of the information processing system
in this embodiment is described below. FIG. 10 is a flowchart
illustrating an operation of the information processing system in
this embodiment that the mobile device receives a file from the
electronic whiteboard.
[0094] When the mobile device 50 receives a file from the
electronic whiteboard 2, first, in the mobile device 50, an
application program for operating the electronic whiteboard 2 is
executed. Subsequently, in the application program, a mode that
receives a file from the electronic whiteboard 2 is selected.
[0095] In S601, the mobile device 50 is set to a NFC tag scanning
mode. In S602, by holding the antenna over the NFC tag 55, the
mobile device 50 performs the near field communication between the
near field communication unit 510 and the NFC tag 55. Subsequently,
the reader 511 reads the address information (e.g., IP address) of
the electronic whiteboard 2 from the memory 605 of the NFC tag 55
and stores the address information.
[0096] In S603, the network communication unit 509 accesses the
electronic whiteboard 2 corresponding to the address scanned from
the mobile device 50 and determines whether or not the security is
configured. If it is determined that the security is configured
(YES in S603), the step proceeds to S604. If it is determined that
the security is not configured (NO in S603), the step proceeds to
S605.
[0097] In S604, since the security is configured, it is required to
input the pass code. Therefore, when the mobile device 50 accesses
the electronic whiteboard 2, the pass code displayed on the display
3 of the electronic whiteboard 2 is input. In S605, for example, a
file of the content displayed on the electronic whiteboard 2 is
created in PDF file format.
[0098] In S606, the communication controller 201 in the electronic
whiteboard 2 transfers the file created in S605 to the mobile
device via the communication network 9. In S607, the content of the
file received by the mobile device is displayed on the display unit
of the mobile device.
[0099] It should be noted that operations of functional blocks that
construct the information processing apparatus in this embodiment
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be executed by a program on a computer.
That is, the CPU 101 in the electronic whiteboard 2 loads a program
stored in the ROM 102 and the RAM 103, and the CPU 501 in the
mobile device 50 loads a program stored in the ROM 502 and the RAM
503. Next, it is possible to implement the embodiment by executing
each step of the program sequentially.
[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, the address
information of the electronic whiteboard that exchanges files with
the mobile device is written in the NFC tag, and the application
program for operating the information processing apparatus is used
on the mobile device. In addition, after launching the application
program described above, the tag information of NFC is read using
the mobile device.
[0101] Through the above-described operation, user registration to
the electronic whiteboard completes, using the mobile device.
Furthermore, if security is configured in exchanging files between
the mobile device and the electronic whiteboard, a pass code
(authentication code) is displayed on the electronic whiteboard by
accessing the electronic whiteboard using the mobile device. By
inputting the pass code in the mobile device, it is possible to
exchange files between the mobile device and the electronic
whiteboard. Therefore, preparations such as user registration or
scan of authentication code that are conventionally required are
unnecessary.
[0102] In the embodiment described above, the information
processing apparatus can easily perform preparation before
exchanging files with the electronic whiteboard.
[0103] For example, even in the case when the user wants to connect
to the on-premise private cloud service, preparation for connection
can be easily performed.
[0104] In the known technology, in registering a user who can use
the on-premise private cloud service, it is required to register an
account identified by a user identification (ID) and a password
etc. to login the private cloud service preliminarily. It is
required to access a web browser of the private cloud service and
register the user to perform the registration. However, such
operation is not necessary.
[0105] The present invention also encompasses a non-transitory
recording medium storing a program that executes an information
processing method. The information processing method includes the
steps of communicating with a memory that stores address
information of the image processing apparatus, reading the address
information of the image processing apparatus from the memory, and
exchanging data with the image processing apparatus identified with
the address information read from the memory through a
communication network.
[0106] Numerous additional modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be
understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the
disclosure of the present invention may be practiced otherwise than
as specifically described herein.
[0107] For example, elements and/or features of different
illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or
substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and
appended claims.
[0108] As can be appreciated by those skilled in the computer arts,
this invention may be implemented as convenient using a
conventional general-purpose digital computer programmed according
to the teachings of the present specification. Appropriate software
coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the
teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those
skilled in the software arts. The present invention may also be
implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated
circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of
conventional component circuits, as will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the relevant art.
[0109] Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be
implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry.
Processing circuitry includes a programmed processor, as a
processor includes circuitry. A processing circuit also includes
devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array
(FPGA), and conventional circuit components arranged to perform the
recited functions.
* * * * *